'Hallelujah' for Rockford's Empty Stocking donations

Saturday

Dec 15, 2012 at 12:01 AMDec 15, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Your donations to Empty Stocking will help bring Christmas gifts to 4,767 children in Boone and Winnebago counties this year. That’s 124 more than last year. The job isn’t quite done yet, though. The Empty Stocking fund is about 78 percent toward its fundraising goal.

INSIDE: How to donate

Kevin Haas

HOW TO DONATE AT END OF STORY

ROCKFORD — Willa Benford’s voice boomed over the sound of Christmas carols today as she greeted nearly everyone she passed at Rockford Rescue Mission with thanks and praise.

“Hallelujah,” she bellowed while passing a Santa Claus handing out candy canes.

“Thank you, Jesus!" She called as she made her way toward a team of volunteers eager to hand out gifts that will go to needy children on Christmas.

"It’s all about God and his blessing today that they open these doors to let us in and help the children in this world today,” Benford said, quickly pacing through the line at the Register Star’s Empty Stocking Club toy giveaway.

Your donations to Empty Stocking will help bring Christmas gifts to 4,767 children in Boone and Winnebago counties this year. That’s 124 more than last year.

The job isn’t quite done. The Empty Stocking fund has reached just 78 percent toward of its goal so far.

“I found it truly amazing how the community rallies around an important event like this, putting toys in the hands of needy children,” said Travis Engebretson, Register Star director of consumer marketing.

Hundreds of people huddled under hats, hoods and umbrellas outside the Rescue Mission this morning. They were waiting to enter the building and receive toys.

“Kids are worth it. That’s why I do it,” said Daniel Nolan, an Army veteran and single father who said difficult economic times have made it a struggle to provide Christmas for his 8-year-old son.

The mood was festive inside the Rescue Mission as volunteers from the Register Star and GateHouse Media, their families and friends, Associated Bank, Boy Scouts and others helped fill bags with skateboards, board games, stuffed animals and other Christmas toys.

“For them to bless us with stuff like this, it’s very helpful,” said Shameka Bell, a single mother of five ages 11, 9, 8, 7 and 3.

Bell said she was with the father of four of her children for eight years before he was shot to death two years ago in Chicago. She’s grateful people have answered her call for help.

“I want my kids to have a happy Christmas. If I can’t do it and somebody will help me, I will love the help from somebody,” she said.

Bell said she will also receive a food basket to help prepare the Christmas dinner she’ll have at her home in Rockford’s Fairgrounds Valley Apartments housing project.